Nigeria’s Catholic Bishop at the ongoing second 2023 plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has expressed sadness over the death of a seminarian, Na’Aman Danladi Stephen, of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan who was burnt to death by bandits that attacked the priest rectory on Thirsday, September 7, 2023.
Tthe bishops during the Mass for the second day, Saturday, September 9, 2023, specially prayed for the deceased seminarian, Na’Aman Danladi Stephen.
Announcing the intention at the Mass, the Deputy Secretary General, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Very Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, said:
“We offer this Mass for the happy repose of Na’Aman Danladi Stephen, the seminarian who was killed two days ago when bandits attacked and burnt the rectory in Kamantan, Kafanchan Diocese.
We pray also for all those who have suffered similar fate and for peace in Nigeria.”
The Chief Celebrant at the Mass and Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan Diocese, Most Rev. Julius Kundi, in his homily, thanked all his fellow bishops for their solidarity and prayers during this sad and dark moment in the diocese.
It could be recalled that on Thursday night, bandits invaded St. Rachael’s Catholic Parish in Fadan Kamantan, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, razing the parish house, and in the process, burnt to death a seminarian, Na’aman Danladi, while some priests narrowly escaped the attack.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, Rev. John Hayab, who confirmed the incident, condemned the attack on the Parish, saying: “It is very sad that killings and this type of evil are still going on.”
While disclosing that the attack by the bandits was targeted at the residence of the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Emmanuel Okolo, who is also the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, the CAN helmsman explained that Fr. Okolo narrowly escaped from the attack before the criminals set the entire Rectory ablaze, burning to death the seminarian, who was about completing his training into the Catholic Priesthood.
Although the government of Kaduna State has reportedly expressed sadness over the incident, Nigerians however wait to see if this will be different since no perpetrator of all past similar crimes have ever been brought to book.